Another indication of the dryness is the Lightning To the north of us out around the Yarra RangersAnd noojee area sparked quiet a number ofFires! Verses through summer they wernt reallySparking any in those areas.

same here, fire now 280ha reported by crews to be a blow out (all lines breached) - air crew now focused on smaller fire due west of Dargo. More aircraft in the sky today that most of summer, coming after some aircraft have gone home.

Thank you, Logansi, for keeping us informed re these two fires. I'm away atm but, in a worst case scenario, my place is in the firing line should they grow and move southeasterly.

Thankfully, I think it's too late in the season for massive growth and movement. Of course both Samboz and Petros' areas are also potentially affected. At their current size, though, I don't see them (particularly the Crooked River one) being contained without rain or extended cool, calm conditions.

Yep likely to late in the season but its been a weird season so always good to stay aware. Large Air Tankers have been working the Crooked River fire this afternoon with 2 drops each out of Avalon. First fires of significant size in the high country in 2 seasons really.

The two fires started by lightning strikes on Saturday night, north-west and south-west of Dargo are now 656 and just over 100 hectares respectively.

The fires are in steep, rocky country, with some areas not accessible by vehicles, so Forest Fire Management Victoria crews are using a combination of ground crews, dozers and aircraft to attack them directly and indirectly.

This combination is securing the western edge of the larger Crooked River-Wonnangatta Road fire, north-west of Dargo, with aircraft continuing to work on the south-eastern sector, which is too steep for any other form of suppression.

Fire behaviour on the smaller Waterford-McCarthy Spur West Track fire, south-west of Dargo has quietened and a lot of good work has been done on this fire today.

Crews have been constructing a hand trail on the south-eastern section, supported by some backburning and dozer work.

There's been some fire activity on the northern edge along McCarthys Spur and additional rakehoe lines have been put in here in areas unsuitable for dozers, with aircraft supporting to strengthen control lines.

Some more local roads and tracks have been closed to the public while the control lines are being constructed and people are advised not to enter any forest or park areas in the vicinity of these fires and to be alert to firefighting vehicles and personnel on other roads in the Dargo area.

Smoke will be visible from local communities and roads, and further afield, depending on prevailing winds and smoke drift.

The bigger fire area was burnt out a few years back, hopefully the fuel load is reduced from then.

Both fires in mongrel places to access as posted, this will keep the DEWLP(?) crews busy for a while but assisted by canny leadership to meet safety and fuel reduction goals isn't likely to threaten private property.

That burn has a few spots outside of the lines thus that 'bushfire' up there too

Smoke warning in place for communities around Sale and Bairnsdale

This Advice is being issued for poor air quality in Dargo, Bairnsdale, Sale and nearby communities, which may be unhealthy for sensitive people.

Smoke from a bushfire burning near Crooked River is currently affecting air quality in Dargo, Bairnsdale, Sale and nearby communities.Smoke can affect people’s health. You should be aware of the impacts of smoke on you and your family’s health. Smoke can aggravate existing heart and lung conditions and cause irritated eyes, coughing and wheezing.

Strong winds in the early hours of tomorrow morning however chance of a shower/storm in the afternoon.

There is a bushfire at Morgans Mill that is not yet under control.The bushfire is travelling in a south-easterly direction towards Caringal and Tanjil Bran road.This warning replaces the Advice message issued at 8:40 this morning. Firefighters are responding to the fire. a wind change is expected within the next 2 hours that may change the direction of the fire.

Air Craft are now very stretched across the east of the state. Hopefully the rain about to hit this area hits the ground.

The Crooked River has now reached 1400ha, and additional 400ha yesterday afternoon and overnight. FFM update states:

At the Crooked River fire, 19 kilometres north-west of Dargo, the situation remains dynamic, but the south-western flank is being held.

This fire is expected to spread to the north, south and east and will probably cross Billy Goat Bluff track to the east at some stage today.

The forecast south-west wind change this afternoon will increase fire behaviour on the north-eastern edge of the McCarthy Spur fire and the south-eastern edge of the Crooked River fire, so our focus will be on those areas.